Musqueam Band proposes development on University Endowment Lands

If rezoned, 22-acre parcel would include housing, hotel and retail village

An illustration shows the proposed location of a housing, hotel and retail development in the University Endowment Lands.

Photograph by: Vancouver Sun
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The Musqueam Indian Band is looking to set a new standard in community consultation as it moves forward with plans to redevelop 22 acres of what was once a regional park in the University Endowment Lands into a mixed-used neighbourhood that will include new housing, retail space and a 120-room hotel.

“I think a lot of people, when they think about first nations doing development, they automatically assume that first nations are going to do it without any consultation or without thinking of those who could be impacted by the development. That is not the case in this case,” said Wade Grant, a Musqueam councillor and economic development coordinator.

“We want to make sure that people know that we want to be good neighbours. We want to ensure that we build good relationships with those people who live in and around that community,” he said.

Grant’s comments come as the band looks to launch its first major development on land within the UEL. The property in question, known as Block F, located between University Boulevard and Acadia Road, is among three parcels transferred in fee simple to the Musqueam as part of a reconciliation agreement with the province in 2008.

Under the agreement, Musqueam also owns the University Golf Club and a triangular piece of property next to its reserve lands.

The Block F proposal calls for a diversity of housing types to be constructed in several phases spanning a decade or more. The band is also pushing to rezone the property from multi-family use to allow for the potential development of a hotel and “a small-scale retail village.”

Three acres will be set aside as park space.

Grant said because the property is owned in fee simple, the Musqueam Indian Band is subject to the same rezoning application process as any other property developer working within the University Endowment Lands.

But, he added, the band is committed to engaging the community “above and beyond” its legal obligations to ensure “we don’t have dissension or misunderstandings.”

Among its efforts, Musqueam has set up a website that invites public input and discussion on the project, and has scheduled the first in a series of community open houses for Dec. 6.

“We are trying to set a new standard,” Grant said.

“Musqueam recognizes that we are not separated from our neighbours … and I think that if we want to move forward with successful economic development, we have to ensure that we have good relationships.”

“What is the key to any good relationship? It’s communication, whether it’s a marriage, neighbouring municipalities or neighbour living on the same street,” he said.

Daykin said he has seen increased willingness among first nations and municipalities to share information and seek input on real-estate proposals that impact adjacent communities, particularly as they relate to projects on private land.

But he cautioned that having meaningful input into what happens on reserve lands — which are federal lands — continues to be a serious challenge for Metro leaders.

“The framework they are working within, (First Nations) have the ability to decide what is best for their community and not take into consideration the issues of other communities or consult with other communities,” Daykin said.

Earlier this year, Metro directors voted to push the province to bar thousands of residents living on First Nation reserves from voting in municipal elections, arguing that they shouldn’t be able to cast a ballot in a municipality where they don’t live or pay taxes. The move came as more First Nations pitch large-scale residential developments on their lands that would dramatically boost non-aboriginal population.

Between 1996 and 2006, the number of non-aboriginals living on reserve land more than doubled, according to a Metro discussion paper. And while residents pay taxes to the First Nation bands, that money is rarely remitted to neighbouring local governments or to taxation authorities such as TransLink.

Daykin said the committee he heads is working with regional First Nations to bridge the communications divide between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities.

“It’s about building that relationship and sitting down at the table and talking about the needs of both communities,” he said.

Grant said revenue earned from the Block F development will go to address significant community issues within the Musqueam community, including health, education and housing.

More than 200 band members remain on a waiting list for housing on the reserve.

“They want to live in our community and we want to make sure they have that ability,” he said.

More broadly, the development will help pave the way toward economic self-sufficiency.

“We want to ensure that we are not so dependent on outside forces, like the federal government,” Grant said. “This is the first step toward that goal.”

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